Last week I began a discussion of whether or not the GOP Base is ready to be energized. It appears that after several dreadful months the Republicans in Washington have stopped the bleeding (maybe its because they are out of town), and there is a presumption now that Governor Arnold is the favorite for re-election due to his drawing a poor opponent in Phil Angelides. I disagree with any premise that Republicans have momentum presently. The absence of additional blood on the ground does not spell momentum in politics. All that has happened in the past couple of weeks is that the bleeding has stopped for a time being. There is nothing to celebrate. So, is the GOP base ready to be energized? The answer is – YES. And our needs are so simple, its embarrassing, but here they are:
Balance the State Budget
Protect us from crazy liberals
Be not afraid to define the unions before they define you
Appoint pro death penalty, pro property rights judges
Respond to attacks laid out by Democrats
Pledge to veto specific forms of legislation you know you will see in a second term
This week I briefly tackle the first three of these base energizing proposals.
First, regarding the State Budget – we are flush, I mean flush, with cash. The California economy has been nothing short of spectacular over the past two years. Despite record revenue growth, you have failed to balance the State Budget, and this depresses conservatives. Not only is balancing the budget a very mainstream position, but it is the only LEGAL outcome for a State Budget. Lost in all of the discussion is the illegality of running deficits year over year. Get it balanced! Moderates, independents and conservatives will reward you for this and be energized about your campaign. And you protect your right flank against (false) claims by Angelides that HE will balance the budget. You lose no votes by balancing the books!
You must protect us from crazy liberals and I love the word "protection" in your signs and in your campaign tag line. Protection is what then desperate Californians hired you to do in the first place – protect us from the legislature. At some point, you’ve got to run part of your campaign against THEM. We can’t let THEM back in charge. Remember what it was like back then? That is why your ad "Backwards" is sheer genius. We need more of that! Remind us of why you are there in the first place – to be the adult supervision in Sacramento.
You’ve got to define the public employee unions before they define you. They torpedoed your entire special election agenda last summer by simply winning the question "is the special election too expensive"? They crushed you and did a victory dance all over your political corpse last summer and it cannot happen again. Your base wants to see offense – not just defense this summer and fall. And make no mistake – they are going to carpet bomb you like crazy this summer. So- define them first. They are the enemies of progress, the enemies of reform. When we see that teacher, nurse, firefighter, cop and prison guard on the tele this summer calling you a dirtball you’ve got to kick back harder and swifter than ever. The public respects these professions but the unions are the enemies of reform and progress in this State and the base needs to here it from you and your campaign.
Next week: judges, responding to Democrats and what Arnold needs to veto in a second term.
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